Bible Study on Matthew: Meet Jesus the King

Verses to read

• “She will bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who will save his people from their sins.”

  Matthew 1:21

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

  Matthew 5:3

• “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

  Matthew 28:19

Who Was Matthew and Why Did He Write?

Matthew was also called Levi. Before he met Jesus, he collected taxes for the Roman government. Most people did not like tax collectors because they were often dishonest. But Jesus chose Matthew to be one of His twelve close followers, called apostles.

Matthew wrote his book mainly for Jewish people. He wanted to show them that Jesus was the King they had been waiting for. He uses many stories from the Old Testament to show that Jesus fits every promise God made hundreds of years earlier.

Jesus the Great Teacher

Matthew records five big sections of Jesus’ teaching. The most famous one is the Sermon on the Mount. In these chapters, Jesus explains what it looks like to live in God’s kingdom. He teaches about love, prayer, and how to treat others.

Jesus did not just talk; He showed His power. The book includes many miracles, like healing the sick and calming stormy seas. These acts proved that He had the authority of God.

The Promise of the King

A main theme in Matthew is the 'Kingdom of Heaven.' Matthew uses this phrase to describe God’s rule over the hearts of people. He shows that Jesus is the Son of David, which means He is the rightful King promised to Israel.

However, Jesus was not the kind of king people expected. He did not come to fight wars with swords. Instead, He came to serve people and give His life to pay for their mistakes.

The Death and Resurrection

The end of the book tells the story of Jesus’ death on a cross and His return to life. Matthew explains that Jesus died to save people from their sins. This was the most important part of God’s plan.

Three days after He died, Jesus rose from the grave. This showed that He had victory over death. Before He went back to heaven, He told His followers to spread the good news to every nation on earth.

Common questions

Why does Matthew start with a list of names?

This list is a genealogy, which shows a person's family history. Matthew starts this way to prove that Jesus is a legal descendant of King David and Abraham, just as the prophets said the Savior would be.

What is the Great Commission?

The Great Commission is the final command Jesus gives at the end of Matthew. He tells His followers to go to all nations, teach them about Him, and baptize them.

What does 'prophecy' mean in Matthew?

A prophecy is a message from God about the future. Matthew points out many times when Jesus did something that matched what the prophets wrote long ago.

What is the Sermon on the Mount?

It is a long teaching found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. In it, Jesus explains the right way to live, including the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer.